Blowback eliminator for collapsible tube



y 1969 G. SCHWARTZMAN ,45 0

BLOWBACK ELIMINATOR FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Filed Nov. 29, 1986 2Sheets-Sheet 1 mmmummmummlunmmluum.

- y 1969 G. SCHWARTZMAN BLOWBACK ELIMINATOR FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBE FiledNov. 29, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-7 INVENTOR. 62866/ fi/mMe/z MAM#rroeMars United States Patent 3,456,650 BLOWBACK ELIMINATOR FORCOLLAPSIBLE TUBE Gilbert Schwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y.10583 Filed Nov. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 597,612 Int. Cl. A61m 7/00 US. Cl.128-449 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A closure device forcontrolling the flow of fluid so arranged so that the harder thecontainer is squeezed, the more fluid is permitted to flow through thevalve. Means are provided for preventing feedback of air into the tubeand include a valve member movable with respect to a transverse web, thevalve member having a tapered solt opening into the upper surfacethereof and extending into the stern of the valve member.

This invention relates to a closure for a fluid applicator and moreparticularly to a device for use in applying cosmetics or medications onthe person of the user or for application of oils, lubricants, polishes,waxes, soaps, or the like, on any suitable surface.

An object of this invention resides in the provision of meansfacilitating the application of cosmetics or medications on the personof the user, and wherein the user can see from the shape of the tube howmuch has been used.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of meanscontrolling the flow of fluid through a captive closure device so thatthe harder the container is squeezed, the more fluid is permitted toflow through the valve utilized therein, and feedback of air into thetube is prevented thus preserving the contents against rancidity,spoilage, etc.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a dauberemploying a novel valve structure in which a captive valve member havingan applicator head provides a seal.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of meansaffording protection for the surface of the body of the user applyingthe applicator by providing a rather large area contact for theapplicator head, yet providing better control for the flow of fluid fromthe applicator by employing a squeeze operated mechanical valvestructure.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device forfacilitating the application of an eyewash or medication through aneyecup to the eye of the user while controlling the flow of fluid to theeye.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of anovel closure having a measuring cylinder associated therewith.

The construction of this invention features a closure device for usewith a squeeze container having a neck terminating in an open end. Theinvention includes a retainer ring disposed in the neck and having atransverse web provided with a bore therethrough. The web has at leastone fluid delivery aperture therethrough and the web has a concave uppersurface. A valve member including a stem and an applicator head isprovided with the stem being resiliently engaged in the bore. Theapplicator head is provided with a flexible peripheral edge and isengageable with the web to overlie and close the aperture when in aclosed position. The valve member is movable with respect to said web topermit fluid flow out of the aperture and between the web and theperipheral edge. It is the concept of the invention to employ novalarrangements of measuring cylinders and eye cups in the invention.

Still further objects and features of the invention reside in theprovision of a novel captive closure for a squeeze container that issimple in construction, has only two parts, and may be formed out ofvarious readily available materials.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of theinvention, which will become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by this device, preferred embodiments of whichhave been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of exampleonly, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded vertical sectional view of an embodiment of thedevice;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the device illustrated with a measuringcylinder threadedly secured thereto, with the valve member in a closedposition;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the device with the valve inan open position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the plane ofline 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the inventionwherein a measuring cylinder is integrally formed with the container;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative form of theinvention wherein a measuring cylinder is integrally formed with theretaining ring;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a further modification of theinvention including an eye cup integral with the retaining ring; and

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a yet further form of theinvention employing an eye cup integrally formed with the container.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views,reference numeral 10 generally designates a squeeze container such as atoothpaste tube, squeeze type bottle of resilient flexible syntheticplastic material, or the like. The container 10 is provided with a neck12 having an open end 14. The neck is externally threaded at 16.

A retainer ring 18 has a cylindrical projecting portion 20 which seatsin the neck 12 and is provided with a peripheral flange 22 which seatson the open end 14. Integrally formed with the retainer ring is a web 24having a central bore 26 therethrough as well as a plurality ofapertures 28 therethrough which are spaced about the bore 26.

The upper surface 30 of the web is concave and is recessed below theflange 22 forming a vertical shoulder 32.

A captive valve member 34 includes a stem 36 having a tapered conicalend portion 38, the balance of the stem 36 being cylindrical. The valvemember 34 includes an applicator head 40 having a convex upper surface42 and a flat under surface 44 cooperating to form a relatively thin andflexible peripheral edge 46 which is resiliently engageable withshoulder 32 and surface 30 to form a seal. When the valve member isinserted through the bore 26 into the position shown in FIG. 2 and thenpressed down tight against the concave surface 30, it will assume thearcuate shape shown in FIG. 2. A tapered V-shaped slot 48 is formed inthe applicator head 40 and extends through the major depth of the stem.

In use, the valve member 34 is force fitted in the bore 26. Because ofthe slot 48, the valve member will be securely grasped by the webforming a depression at the web and an enlargement 37 making the capbecome captive. The seal formed by the peripheral edge 46 and theshoulder 32 will prevent fluid flow to the outer surface of theapplicator head 40. Application of pressure on the squeeze container inthe direction of arrows P will raise the valve member and permit fluidflow in the direction of arrows F. The fluid flow will urge'the undersurface 44 to assume the arcuate shape shown in FIG. 3. The suctionresulting from the release of the tube will return the valve member 34to a sealed position with its lower surface being drawn flush againstthe concave surface 30. The valve member 34 remains captive to the tubebecause of the tapering shape of the slot 48 causing the effectiveenlargement 37 of the lower end of stem 36. Air is prevented fromentering the tube allowing the tube to remain in its squeezed condition,giving a visual indication of the contents thereof.

The curved convex outer surface 42 of the valve member 34 provides for arelatively large applicator surface when applying fluids.

As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent plastic measuring cylinder generallydesignated at 50 is provided with a contoured lower end 52 adapted toseat on container 10 and internal threads 54 threadedly secured overthreads 16 with shoulder 56 engaging the open end 14 of the neck 12.

The measuring cylinder 50 is provided with indicia for marking thecontents or amounts of material therein delivered upon squeezingcontainer 10 through apertures 28.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 5, itwill be noted that the squeeze container 110 has a measuring cylinder150 integral therewith. The flange 122 of the retaining ring 118 seatson shoulder 114 of neck 112. The valve member 134 is similar to valvemember 34.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a modified arrangement of parts wherein asqueeze container 210, similar to container 10, is provided with anexternally threaded neck 212. The retaining ring 218 has a flange 222integral therewith. Integrally formed with the flange 222 is a measuringcylinder which is internally threaded at 254 for threaded engagement onthe neck 212. The valve member 234 is similar to valve member 34.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a modification of the invention for use inapplying an eye wash or eye medication wherein a container 310 isprovided with a threaded neck 312. The flange 322 integrally connectsthe retaining ring 318 with a cylindrical member 360 which terminates inan eye cup 362. The valve member 334 seats in the retainer ring 318.

The eye cup 462 is formed at the free open end of the container 410which has retainer ring 418 seated therein. The flange 422 rests onshoulder 412 and the valve member 434 is fitted in the retainer ring418.

I claim:

1. A closure device comprising a squeeze container having a neckterminating in an open end, a retainer ring having means for mountingsaid retainer ring in said neck, said retainer ring having a transverseWeb provided with a bore therethrough, said web having at least onefluid delivery aperture therethrough, said web having a concave uppersurface, a valve member including a stem and an applicator head, saidstem being resiliently engaged in said bore, said applicator head beingprovided with a flexible peripheral edge and being engage able with saidweb to overlie and close said aperture when in a closed position, saidvalve member being movable with respect to said Web to permit fluid flowout of said aperture and between said web and said peripheral edge, saidretainer ring including a peripheral flange forming a shouldersurrounding said concave upper surface, said peripheral edge beingresiliently engageable with said shoulder to form a seal, said valvemember having a tapered slot opening into the upper surface of saidapplicator head and extending into said stem.

2. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said stem has aconical lower end having a portion of larger diameter than the upperpart of said stem to capture said valve member to said retainer ring.

3. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said applicator headhas a convex upper surface.

4. A closure device according to said 1, wherein said open end of saidneck extends above said flange and is provided with an eye cup.

5. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said neck isexternally threaded, and a transparent measuring cylinder threadedlysecured to said neck and extending beyond said applicator head.

6. A closure device according to claim 1, including a transparentmeasuring cylinder forming an integral extension of said neck.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,897,276 2/ 1933 Peterson222-496 2,699,888 1/1955 Crane 2222 12 2,754,821 7/1956 Burbig et al.128249 2,999,498 9/1961 Matheson 128146.5 3,179,300 4/1965 Davidson etal. 222497 XR 3,203,454 8/1965 Micallef 22220S XR 3,319,837 5/1967Mueller 222212 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner DONALD L. FRINKS,Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

